Ontario Anti-Bullying Bill Referred to Committee

As previously reported, Bill 13 is intended to address the issue of bullying in schools, and would, if passed, amend the Education Act to include a definition of bullying, new requirements for school boards to implement anti-bullying policies, and the prevention of bullying in schools in the provincial code of conduct, among other matters. The legislation would also authorize the Minister to establish policies and guidelines with respect to disciplining pupils who engage in bullying, sexual assault, gender-based violence and incidents based on homophobia, among other things. It would further authorize the Minister to establish policies and guidelines with respect to bullying prevention and intervention in schools.